In my view th major problem is that they (the NPR folks) are confusing the racial identity of the reporters with the diversity of the content. I listen to NPR often–At least 2 hours a day.

In the list of black reporters–I didn’t even know that several of those people were black. I knew their names, I listen to them, but their blackness is totally invisible. On the radio, their racial background or perspective is completely absent. Now, I suppose good reporters are not supposed to have too much of their own personality in their reporting, and you can’t see people on the radio.

But I personally, don’t care as much about the race of the reporters. (Fox news has several black reporters. Does that help them? NO!) I think NPR needs to diversify its content. They have some of the whitest shows–Ira Glass is a cool white guy, but he’s the whitest of white. Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me–white show. Car Talk–hilarious and white. My favorite show is Brian Leher–it is a little less white, but still has a white guys host (several of his subs are people of color). I think they need more diverse shows, not just more brown faces.

Jo: Did you post that over at ABW’s place yet? If not, I think it’s definitely something she would want to hear.

Sara: Ouch. Hello racism. I wonder if ABW knows about that broadcast.

tekanji, you’re nitpicking here.

First and final warning: it’s against the rules to use dismissive language, and that’s pretty damn dismissive. You want to post here, you read and follow the rules. Especially the parts where, you know, if you want to disagree you make your case politely.

it’s the tone of some parts of the letter that you don’t like, not the substance.

Yes, that’s exactly what I said I thought the problem with the letter was.

I don’t understand your critique. Are you trying to say that it’s not a valid approach to criticize someone’s tone, especially when that someone is representing a company that exists, in part, because of user donations?

All Things Considered, October 16, 2007 · In light of the resurgence of nooses appearing in places like Jena, La., and Columbia University’s Teacher’s College, here’s a modest proposal: The next time somebody plants a noose, let’s just ignore it. Perhaps paying less attention to these acts will take away their racist power.

Just … yeah, not really so inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt anymore. Or to listen to anything they have to say, really. ABW should hit them with that; I mean, you can’t really call yourself interested in diversity if you’re going to trot out the whole “it’s your own fault for feeling victimised” crap.

If we include all PoC in the count, then NPR is probably 75% white.

You think I’m wrong? Please provide evidence to the contrary.

NPR:

According the Radio and Television News Directors’ Association’s most recent analysis, NPR News diversity staffing is more than four times the overall percentage in radio news overall (6.4%) and identical to the overall TV news workforce (22%).

(emphases mine)

Not only does NPR confirm that, yes, the percentage of PoC is exactly as low as ABW estimates, there is a distinct attitude of “Hey, we’re maintaining the status quo; what more do you want of us?”

They don’t provide evidence to the contrary, which was the challenge. NPR failed, and managed to sound entitled and self-satisfied in the process.

Kudos to you, Angry Black Woman. You’ve gotten at least one white liberal to stop and take a good look at her privilege.